South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1887-09-23
THE DOCTORS PERIL.


wind blew in fitful gusts. Down in the
village, few lights began to glow in
the gray gloom. With little shiver,
Alice dropped the curtain. II hope
John won't be called out tonight. We
haven't him single evening for our
OWN, have We, babyg' bending over the
cradle.
Baby opened his eyes and cooed, ex-
tending his dimpled hands, and Alice
bent to lift him just as she heard step
which set her heart beating, as in the
lays when John Stanley was Alice Dun
bars lover. He burst into the room
with cheerishness and ease engendered
by the comforting conviction that in his
own castle he could shake off the sub
dued professional mtnncr, which was
sometimes little CALLING.
"Well, Alice, why don't you scold me
Tor keeping you waiting'" kissing mother
and baby and throwing himself into the
easy chair.
"You have kept us very long, John,
but we have consoled ourselves by
thinking we shall have you all the even
ing"
III hope so, heartily. SITS going
to be very bad night, and it can't be
any one will be ill-natured enough to
send for the doctor 1t is hard, birdie,
to have so lonesome an cyric for you.
When / remember how l coaxed YOU
from your uncle's to this Western howell,
-
Alice had been putting supper upon
the table, but at this she dropped the
dishes and flew at him.
'You bad, wicked boy" she said,
shaking him and covering his face with
kisses, eff ever you utter such treason
again, shall punish you dreadfully. Oh,
John when l think of the old DAYS at
my uncle's when my heart was chilled
by GOODNESS and neglect, am wicked
enough to thank God because my uncle
betrayed his trust and fed; for but for
that you never would have told me you
loved me. John, dear, when l think of
my happiness as your wife, l almost
tremble lest something come to mar it.
Forgive me, Alice, but it was for
your sake / regretted the loss of the
luxuries you must miss"
Gas if I ever had any luxury that
compared to precious, sweet boy"
snatching him away and ending the dis
cussion.
Supper over, DR.. Stanley ensconced
himself in the great crimson arm clair
and cnthroned his son upon his knee,
while Alice dropped the red curtains
after one shivering glance at the bleak
night, then, bringing her sewing, pre-
pared to hear all the doctor had gathered
up in his days tour around the three
villages. A great sigh of content welled
from DIR. SANKEY'S heart as he contem-
plated the cosy room, his wife's fair
face, and the smiling little one on his
knee. mo crowned king ever enjoyed
greater happiness than is comprised by
these four walls, he thought.
He was deep in a funny story, when
sharp knock checked the laugh on
Alice's lips, and her eyes grew anxious
as the little maid entered with the al
ways dreaded yellow envelope. DIR.
Stanley tore it open quickly and read:
Come at once. Bad smasbup.
DzNTsoN"
He placed the boy in the cradle, and
quietly began his preparations. Alice
was silent; she knew it was useless to
attempt to dissuade her husband from
doing what he deemed his duty nor was
she woman to do it, yet there was
sharp pain at her heart which impelled
her to say as he tenderly kissed the child:
at will be dreadful going to Lorimer
tonight, John"
"Oh, can stand it. / will be back
as soon as possible And now, good-by,
Alice"
AS he flung open the door, violent
gust of wind blew the snow into their
faces.
"Oh, john" cried his wife, in I'm con
trollablc agitation, don't go! feel as
though something terrible were menac-
ing you. cannot let you 90, / cannotl"
"Alice," he said, almost sternly. ~
never knew you TO give way to this non
sense before Would you not dcspise me
were selishly to consult my own ease
when these poor unfortunates need my
aid Go in, that's n good girl; nothing
is wrong but your nor c."
a hurried embrace and he was gone.
Alice barred tho door an ! returned 90
the sitting room, summoning her hand
maiden for company, but Patty's pres
ence proved small comfort, for after the
most commendable ondeavors 60 appear
wide awake, she tumbIcd ignominiously
on the floor.
"Ncvcr mind, Patty, it is near 10.
time we were all asleep"
DIR. Stanley walked rapi lily down TO
the village, quickcning his step to a run
~ he heard q train whistle. 'That
must be the 1918, he said. fIe reached
the station, painting, just as the cars
dashed past him.
"gOuud for Iorimor noc,'f so;d A.,